Fluid cleaning apparatus



Nov. 10, 1953 H. E. THORNHILL 2,658,622

FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l Homer E. 7/70f/7/7/// INVENTOR.

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A r TOR/V5 Y5 Nov. 10, 1953 H. E. THORNHILL 2,658,622

FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Homer 5, Thorn/NU INVENTOR.

%41 :2 6' EUMS ATTOR/VEKS Nov. 10, 1953 H. E. THORNHILL FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 3, 1949 Homer 5. Thornhd/ INVENTOR.

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' A TTOENFVJ Nov. 10, 1953 H. E. THORNHILL FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 5, 1949 Homer E. Thorn/NU JNVENTOR.

A 7 TOR/V573 Nov. 10, 1953 FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 3, 1949 H. E. THORNHILL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Homer E. Thorn/NU INVENTOR.

a L. oLw-gralzn A TTOR/VE Y5 v Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID CLEANING APPARATUS Homer E. Thornhill, Houston, Tex., assignor to Thornhill-Craver Company, Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application December 3, 19.49, SerialNo. 131,017

7 Claims. (Cl. 210-167) This invention relates generally to fluid cleaning apparatuses, and particularly to apparatuses for removing foreign matter and solid particles from liquids moving through pipe lines.

Certain. cleaning apparatuses now in common use, in, oil pipe lines for example, are unsatisfactory in that the screens used therein must be removed in order to be cleaned. The task of removing and cleaning the screens is such that the screens are often left in place after they are in need of cleaning. In certain instances clogged screens have burst by reason of the fluid pressure, and in other instances have been deliberately punctured by workmen wishing to avoid the work of removal and cleaning.

This invention has for one of. its general objects the provision of a new and improved appa ratus whereby the screens in cleaning apparatuses may be easily, quickly and thoroughly cleaned without removing them from the cleaning apparatus.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a new and improved cleaning apparatus embodying a screen so constructed and disposed that the foreign matter collecting therein may be swept into a drain, and means to direct a concentrated stream of cleaning fluid under high pressure upon such foreign matter to sweep it into the drain.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a cleaning apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention, mounted in a flow line,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cleaning apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 3 is an. end elevation of said apparatus,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line ll of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the strainer element construction,

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the disposition of. the cleaning spray nozzle,

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle,

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow path of the cleaning fluid discharged from the spray nozzles,

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of a modiiied shape of strainer element,

Fig. 10 is a partly sectional elevation of another form of cleaning apparatus embodying the invention,

Fig. 11 is a vertical section on the line lI-H of Fig. 10,

Fig. l2.is a bottom plan view of the nozzle head of the Fig. 11 embodiment,

Fig. 13 is a partly sectional elevation of another form of cleaning apparatus embodying the invention, and

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the nozzle carrier of Fi 18.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing which illustrates the use of the new and improved cleaning apparatus provided by this invention in connection with an oil pipe line, the oil pipe line is indicated by the letter F and a by-pass from said line is indicated by the letters 3 and P. The pipe B is connected to the inlet pipe l2 of the new and improved cleaning apparatus provided by this invention. The vessel of the cleaning apparatus is illustrated by the numeral 19. The pipe P is connected to the outlet pipe 25 of the cleaning apparatus. It will be apparent that when the valves BI and PI are closed and the valve 48 is open, the oil will flow directly through the pipe F. If the valves Bi and PI are open and the valve 63 is closed, the oil from the pipe line F will be bypassed through the pipe B, through the cleaning apparatus Ill, and back into the pipe F through the pipe P. The numeral i4 indicates a pump to pump cleaning fluid through the pipe d5, pipe 36 and into the vessel ll! of the cleaning apparatus. The drain pipe leading from the opposite end of the vessel ll) of the cleaning apparatus is indicated at 22 and it is connected with the settling tank M. Foreign matter settling in the tank at may be withdrawn through the valve t2, and clean fluid from the top of the settling tank M may be drawn through the pipe 63 by the pump id and pumped through the pipes 45 and 36 back into the vessel in of the cleaning apparatus. The pipe 36 may be provided with a valve 36a and the pipe 45 with the valve 45a to control the flow of fluid through said pipes. A discharge pipe 45 equipped with a valve Mia may also be provided.

Referring now to the embodiment of the clean ing apparatus illustrated by- Figs. 2 through 8, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it includes the vessel it having an inlet Hi in which the inlet pipe 52 is disposed, an outlet 2% in communication with the outlet pipe 25, a screen 25 disposed between the inlet M and the outlet 24, and a drain 2| connected with the drain pipe 22. The end of the screen 26 adjacent the drain 2| is open so that foreign matter accumulating within the screen 26 may be swept out of the screen into the drain 2 I. Such foreign matter is so swept by the concentrated streams of cleaning fluid issuing under high pressure from the circumferentially spaced nozzles 35 mounted in the partition 55 and in communication with the chamber I6 into which the fluid is pumped through the pipe 35. The chamber I5 is formed by the cover I I on the end of the vessel It! which cover II may be welded to the inlet pipe I2 as indicated at I3.

The screen 26 is provided with eccentric annular flanges 23 and 30 at the ends thereof so that when the cover I! at the end of the vessel I is opened and the screen 26 is shoved into the vessel I0, the screen will be held a substantial distance from the outlet 24.

The bottom of the vessel I0 may be provided with openings I8 and a false bottom I9 so that such foreign matter as may settle in the vessel I0 below the screen 26 may be withdrawn through the valve 20.

The screen 26 is of a fine mesh and the tubular support 2?, perforated as indicated at 32, surrounding the screen 26 forms a backing or support for the screen. The perforations 32 being arranged in annular rows provide in effect annular reinforcing ring elements which have been designated 21a in Fig. 5. A suitable packing member 29 (Fig. 2) may be provided to seal the ring 28 to the end of the tubular support 21, and a similar ring 3| may be provided between the annular ring 30 and the opposite end of the tubular support 21. Or if desired, the eccentric annular rings 28 and 30 at the ends of the tubular member 27 may be integral with said member.

Referring now to the structure and function of the nozzles 35 which as above indicated function to discharge cleaning fluid upon the interior surface of the screen 26 to sweep therefrom into the drain 2 I, the fine particles of foreign matter which collect upon the interior surface of the screen when the oil containing the same passes through the screen. In Fig. '7 the body of the nozzle is indicated at 35 and its axial bore at 352). These nozzles are so mounted in the partition I that they are at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the screen and are also inclined in a direction toward the interior surface of the screen 26. The inclination of the nozzles 35 will be apparent from Fig. 6 in which the plane occupied by the partition I5 is indicated at I512. The inclination will also be apparent from Fig. 8 which illustrates the spiral path S of the fluid issuing from the nozzles 35 upon the interior surface of the screen 26. Thus the stream of cleaning fluid ejected by each nozzle is not only directed into contact with the inner surface of the screen 26 but is also directed in a generally spiral path S along the interior thereof. This results in a thorough cleansing action which will remove all of the particles which may have adhered to the screen during the straining operation, the said particles being thereby swept by the cleanin fluid into the drain 2 I.

When it is desired to clean the screen, the valve 40 (Fig. 1) is preferably opened and the valves BI and PI closed. That part of the flowing fluid then in the vessel I0 may be drained therefrom through the valve 20 (Fig. 2) and an air valve 50 may be provided in the top of chamber I0 so that the flowing fluid will readily flow through the valve 20 when the valves 20 and 50 are open. After the flowing fluid has been thus drained from the vessel I0, the valves 20 and 50 may be closed and the pump 44 (Fig. 1) operated to pump cleaning fluid into the screen 26 to sweep the a foreign matter therefrom into the drain 2 I. However, while it is considered preferable to drain the flowing fluid from the vessel I 0 as just stated, the cleaning fluid may be pumped into the screen while the flowing fluid is in the screen.

Referring now to Fig. 9 which illustrates another embodiment, the numeral 5I indicates a screen and the numeral 52 a tubular support, which are hexagonal in cross section. It will be obvious that the tubular screen and its support may be made of any desired cross sectional shape.

Referring to Figs. 10, 11 and 12 wherein like numerals designate like parts, and which illustrate another embodiment of the invention, the vessel is indicated at I00, the inlet at I02, the outlet at I03, the screen at I04 and the drain at I0 5.

At the top of the vessel I00 is a removable cover I05 which has a partition I01 formin cleaning fluid chamber I08. Cleaning fluid may be pumped into the chamber I08 through the pipe I09 and it will be discharged through the nozzles IIO upon the inner surface of the screen I04 to sweep the foreign matter therefrom into the drain I 05.

In order to permit the flowing fluid to be drained from the vessel I00 before the cleanin fluid is discharged into the screen, an air bleed pipe I I I may be provided in the removable cover I06. It will be understood that the cleaning fluid pipe I09 may be connected to a pipe such as the pipe 36 shown in Fig. l, and that the air bleed pipe III may be provided with a valve such as that indicated at 50 in Fig. 2.

The screen I04 may be inserted in the vessel I00 when the cover I06 is removed, and the lower ring II2 on the screen will fit within the supporting ring I I3. The chamber H4 in the bottom of the vessel is separated from the space surrounding the screen I04 by the partition I I5. The top of the screen I00 may be provided with a ring II6 to be engaged by the partition I07 whereby the screen is held in place.

It will also be understood that in the Fig. 10 through 11 embodiment the inlet pipe I02 may be connected to a by-pass pipe such as the ipe B shown in Fig. l; the outlet pipe I03 to a bypass pipe P such as shown in Fig. 1 and the drain I05 to a pipe such as pipe 22 shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated by Figs. 13 and 14 in which like numerals designate like parts, the vessel is indicated at 200, the inlet at 202, the outlet at 203, the screen at 204 and the drain at 205. The numeral 206 indicates an air bleed connection such as the connection 50 in Fig. 2. In this embodiment a single nozzle 2 I0 is carried by a carrier 2I I which is mounted on a pipe 2I2 extending outwardly through a stuffing box 2 I3 in the removable cover 2 I4. The pipe 2I2 is rotatable and reciprocable in the stuffing box 2I3 and is provided with a handle 2 I 5 accessible from the exterior of the vessel 200. It will be apparent that the nozzle carrier 2 may be rotated by means of the handle 2I5 to move the nozzle 2I0 in a circular ath adjacent the interior surface of the screen 204 and that the cleaning fluid issuing from the nozzle 2I0 may be thereby played upon different areas of the interior surface of the screen. It will also be apparent that the nozzle carrier 2 may be moved back and forth in the screen 204 to carry the nozzle 2I0 longitudinally closer to different areas of the internal surface of the screen to be swept by the cleaning fluid.

it will be apparent that in the embodiment shown by Figs. 13 and 14, the inlet 202 may be connected to a by-pass pipe such as the pipe B shown in Fig. 1; the outlet 203 to a by-pass pipe such as the pipe P shown in Fig. 1; the drain 205 to a drain pipe such as the pipe 22 shown in Fig. 1, and that the pipe 212 may be connected by the flexible hose M6 to a cleaning fluid pipe such as the pipe 36 shown by Fig. 1.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that this invention provides a new and improved cleaning apparatus, the screen of which may be thoroughly, quickly and easily cleaned without removing it from the cleaning apparatus.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments herein disclosed. Various changes within the scope of the following claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A cleaning apparatus including an elongate vessel closed at its ends and having an inlet, an outlet, and a drain disposed laterally of said vessel, a tubular screen eccentrically disposed with respect to said vessel between said inlet and outlet and having one end thereof opening toward said drain, a transverse partition in said vessel adjacent said inlet forming a chamber between said partition and that end of the vessel adjacent said inlet, a plurality of nozzles disposed in said partition concentrically with respect to said inlet and further disposed at an acute angle with respect to the interior surface of said screen and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said screen, and cleaning fluid means separate from said inlet and in communication with said chamber and nozzles to discharge a concentrated stream of cleaning fluid through and upon the interior surface of said screen and out of the end of said screen which opens toward said drain to sweep foreign matter from said screen into said drain.

2. A cleaning apparatus including an elongate vessel closed at its ends and having an inlet, an outlet, and a drain disposed laterally of said vessel, a tubular screen eccentrically disposed with respect to said vessel [between said inlet and outlet and having one end thereof opening toward said drain, an air vent in said vessel normally closed but when opened adapted to permit drainage of flowing fluid from said vessel, a transverse partition in said vessel adjacent said inlet forming a chamber between said partition and that end of the vessel adjacent said inlet, a plurality of nozzles disposed in said partition concentrically with respect to said inlet and further disposed at an acute angle with respect to the interior surface of said screen and at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said screen, and cleaning fluid means separate from said inlet and in communication with said chamher and nozzles to discharge a concentrated stream of cleaning fluid, after the flowing fluid has been drained from said vessel, through and 6 upon the interior surface of said screen and out of the end of said screen which opens toward said drain to sweep foreign matter from said screen into said drain.

3. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which each stream directed by each nozzle is directed into contact with the interior surface of the screen at an acute angle relative thereto.

4. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 2, in which each stream directed by each nozzle is directed into contact with the interior surface of the screen at an acute angle relative thereto and is caused to traverse a spiral path about said interior surface of said screen.

5. A cleaning apparatus including an elongate vessel having an inlet, an outlet, and a drain, a tubular screen disposed with respect to said vessel between said inlet and outlet and having one end thereof opening toward said drain, and cleaning fluid means separate from said inlet and in communication with a nozzle and a nozzle carrier, said carrier being rotatable to cause said nozzle to discharge a concentrated stream of cleaning fluid through and upon different areas of the interior surface of said screen and out of the end of said screen which opens toward said drain to sweep foreign matter from said screen into said drain.

6. A cleaning apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said nozzle carrier is reciprocable longi tudinally along the axis of said screen.

7. A cleaning apparatus including a vertically disposed elongate vessel having an inlet, an outlet, and a drain, a tubular screen eccentrically disposed with respect to said vessel between said inlet and outlet, the lower end of said screen opening toward said drain, an air vent in said vessel normally closed but when opened adapted to permit drainage of flowing fluid from said vessel, and cleaning fluid means separate from said inlet and in communication with a plurality of nozzles adjacent one end of said screen to discharge a concentrated stream of cleaning fluid downwardly through and upon the interior surface of said screen and out of the end of said screen which opens toward said drain to sweep foreign matter from said screen into said drain.

HOMER E. THORNHILL.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 550,583 Brinckman et al. Dec. 3, 1895 748,821 Wackerow Jan. 5, 1904 1,464,953 Misener Aug. 14, 1923 1,545,896 Hanlon July 14, 1925 1,628,141 Gray May 10, 1927 1,689,277 Burns Oct. 30, 1928 2,198,819 Holm Apr. 30, 1940 2,245,575 Court June 17, 1941 2,547,277 Marsh et a1 Apr. 3, 1951 

